Acting Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says Solomon Islands can learn from China’s development experience and economic transformation.
Lilo made the comments during a courtesy meeting with a visiting delegation from the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Honiara today.
The delegation, led by CPC International Department Deputy Director General Zhao Hongtao, is in Solomon Islands to strengthen political party exchanges and share experiences in party development between the two countries.
During the discussions, both sides acknowledged differences in their political systems, ideologies and practices, while recognising opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences.
Lilo, who is also the Finance minister, highlighted that Solomon Islands operates under a multi-party democratic system, unlike China’s single-party system.
“What matters is that Solomon Islands parties can learn from the success of the CPC in governing and building China into one of the successful and strong nations in the world today,” Lilo said.
“I have read some literature about the rise of China, and I truly admire the philosophies and strategies that it took to build China into one of the successful and strong nations in the world now,” he added.
Lilo said Solomon Islands values its relationship with China and remains willing to learn from China’s economic growth, particularly its achievements in reducing poverty and improving living standards for millions of people.
He also reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ commitment to respecting and upholding the One China Principle, saying China’s territorial integrity must be recognised and respected.
Zhao shared the CPC’s experiences and achievements, while expressing the Party’s willingness to support exchanges and cooperation in political party development with Solomon Islands.
He acknowledged the differences between the two countries’ political systems and reaffirmed the CPC’s respect for Solomon Islands’ multi-party democracy.
Zhao said the CPC’s success has been built on long-term political stability and its ability to transform China from an impoverished agrarian society into the world’s second-largest economy.
“Our vision is to share our experience and success to help others succeed in their aspirations and to contribute towards building a harmonious world for everyone,” Zhao said.
The two countries became diplomatic allies in 2019. Before that, Solomon Islands recognised democratic Taiwan, the island nation that China claimed as its own.
